Summer 2003 Trips

The trips on this page are completed. Any member that went on a trip is encouraged to send pictures, trail notes, stories for posting on the website.

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COMPLETED SUMMER 2003 TRIPS
 

1. June 6-8 (Fri-Sun)
Carrizo National Monument (M)
Service Trip Carcamp
Our objective will be to install an irrigation system for the native-plant garden at Goodwin Education Center. Time permitting, we'll hike to Caliente Mountain to visit marine fossil beds and see spectacular views of Carrizo Plain, Cuyama Valley, and the San Andreas Fault. Primitive camping, potluck dinner, and campfire stories. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 333-6602

2. June 21 (Sat)
Beginner Backpack Seminar (E)
Come to the picnic (below) early, at 10 a.m., for our annual backpack class covering basics of selecting and fitting backpacks, tents, boots, and accessories. Learn how to select a campsite, stay dry and comfortable, cope with emergencies, and be environmentally responsible hikers. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 333-6602

3. June 21 (Sat)
Desert Survivors Summer Picnic (E)
Roberts Recreation Area, Oakland
The Summer Solstice is a traditional time for rejoicing and for our annual picnic. Join us at the Redwood Bowl in Redwood Regional Park, at 11 a.m., for a potluck meal and good desert stories. Enjoy tall tales under tall trees. We'll also erect the badminton net for some quick games in the adjacent sunny meadow. Later we'll hike the ridge to stretch our legs in the deep dark woods. A flyer will be sent with directions. Come early for Bob Lyon's backpack seminar (above).
For information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

4. July 4-6 (Fri-Sun)
Glass Mountain Backpack (M)
Glass Mountain (11,120'), south of Mono Lake, was a source of obsidian for Native Americans. A long slog up a loose pumice slope leads to a ridge where views of the desert to the east and the Sierra to the west will offer a spectacular reward for our efforts. This is a high-elevation volcanic wonderland, and the weather should be sublime. We will be camping in trees, but we might need to carry all our water. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Dave Halligan 510-528-3360

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5. July 4-6 (Fri-Sun)
White Mountains Carcamp (M)
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Enjoy this high-mountain strange and barren desert environment. Gaze east at the Sierra across the Owens Valley. Photograph 4000- year-old twisted bristlecones. First day, we'll hike a 4«-mile trail through the bristlecone grove at 10,000'. Next day's cross-country loop hike starts at 11,000' and descends 2000' through a rugged dolomite canyon to a creek lush with grass and flowers. Final day, we'll ascend 13,000' Mt. Barcroft, with about 1500' gain and 5 miles of hiking. Near the camp there are old mines to explore. Please note that the air is very thin. Limit 15.
Contact Leader: Lucy DuPertuis (530) 573-0965
6. July 4-6 (Fri-Sun)
Tybo Geology Carcamp (M)
Central Nevada
I've obtained an excellent geology map of the Tybo area in the Hot Creek Range from the U.S. Geological Survey. We'll use it to view the rocks and look for fossils, interesting outcrops, and other features. Tybo is the site of an old mining town that once boasted 1000 residents; we'll check out historical sites. These are mountains grown to sagebrush and a dense pinyon-juniper woodland. We'll do three loop hikes of 10-14 miles each, each with less than 1500' gain. This is a half-moon weekend.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

7. July 12-13 (Sat-Sun)
Beginners' Backpack (E)
Pescadero Creek, San Mateo County
Join us for a relatively easy two-day romp through cool redwood forests in San Mateo County. We'll hike along Pescadero Creek, lunch
at the Sierra Club hikers hut, and marvel at the meandering tar pools of Tarwater Creek.  Campfire and happy hour at Shaw Flat trail camp. Limit 8.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 333-6602

8. July 19 (Sat)
Desert Survivors Technical Seminar (E)
Tilden Park, Berkeley
This all-day seminar features instruction in trip planning, route-finding with map and compass, and an introduction to wilderness first aid. Both hikers and potential trip leaders will benefit from the knowledge gained. We'll spend an hour on each topic, with an hour's break for lunch. In late afternoon, we'll do a short hike to test our map and compass skills. A longer hike afterward is optional. A detailed flyer will be sent with directions. You must register beforehand to attend. Space is limited. A $5 donation will be requested at the site.
For information, call: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

9. July 24-28 (Thur-Mon)
Ruby Crest Backpack (M/S)
Ruby Mountains Wilderness Area, Elko, NV
These mountains are the most alpine of the ranges in Nevada. Our route along the Ruby Crest trail features rugged mountains with passes above 10,000', sparkling lakes, glacier-carved valleys filled with a profusion of wildflowers, expansive desert views, and perhaps, encounters with bighorn sheep and mountain goats. While this does not seem to be desert, the views look over the basin and range lowlands in all directions, an ideal summer escape. We will use a car shuttle, hiking 37 miles on a one-way route, and should have sufficient time for side excursions and possible climbs. Sign up before May 30 or after June 30. Limit 12.
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670
10. August 1-3 (Fri-Sun)
Wall Canyon Monitoring Backpack (M)
Northwestern Nevada
We'll backpack three days in this wilderness study area, photographing and investigating it. We'll be looking for wildlife, unusual plants, and geological features. We'll also be documenting vehicular incursions and environmental damage. Afterward, I'll make a report of our findings to the BLM. The country offers deep canyons cut into a lava plateau reaching to elevation 7300'. Vegetation is sagebrush and   juniper trees. About 27 miles of backpacking; elevation gain 2200'. Water and shade every day, and we'll expect good wildlife too.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

11. August 8-10 (Fri-Sun)
Stillwater Range Backpack (M)
Hike through shaded canyons along streams to forested ridges in this remote Nevada range. Our route will follow portions of the Desert Trail through Shady Run and White Cloud Canyons. Expect good weather, great views, plenty of water, and abundant wildlife. Limit 10.
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415-674-6885)

12. August 30 - September 1 (Sat-Mon)
Mono Lake/Black Canyon Carcamp (M)
Eastern Sierra
We'll hike along the south shore of the lake to see tufa, birds, brine shrimp and flies, and swim in the alkali water. Next day, we'll drive to Glass Mountain for a long hike up the Wet Fork of Black Canyon (a running stream) into the tall trees and aspen. This will be a welcome change, offering cool shade and breezes. Finally, we'll do another all-day hike nearby. There's always a lot of variety in this amazing country.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706

Last Updated: Thursday, 24 March 2005 08:11 PM Pacific Coast Time.